The Ultimate Gift (2006)
The sentiment, the story, and the message of The Ultimate Gift are very good, but it might be a little too corny for some folks to appreciate. At times it is melodramatic to prove a point, but just remember that the point it’s trying to prove is a good one. It’s not trying to preach that all rich people are soulless, but instead that money can’t buy the kind of happiness that love, friendship, and decency can. If you like sentimental do-gooder stories like Pay It Forward, you’ll like this one.
A multimillionaire, James Garner, leaves a mysterious Will with only a pittance inherited by his children. His loyal friends and business partners, Bill Cobbs and Miss America – sorry, I mean Lee Meriwether – remain on the board of his company and are also in charge of a very special inheritance for his adult grandson, Drew Fuller. Drew has grown up spoiled, angry, and heartless, but Grandpa Jimmy is determined to change all that. He leaves a series of video messages with different assignments Drew has to complete in order to receive “the ultimate gift” of his inheritance. As you can imagine, the tasks are ones that build character and don’t have anything to do with money. Find a true friend, learn how to work with your hands, help someone in need, etc. The lessons are tried and true, but many people forget them as the years pass and they get distracted with other “needs”. When Drew meets a single mother, Ali Hillis, with a very peculiar little girl, Abigail Breslin, he forms a bond and starts to genuinely care.
Which brings me to the fly in the ointment: Abigail. Either her mother, the director, or the makeup artist should have insisted that her palette be changed. Wearing black clothing and a dark wig wasn’t enough to make her look pale and wan (the intention), so she also wore dark purple lipstick. It was jarring and disturbing to see a child so made up. Her insides weren’t much better: snotty, unrealistically unselfish, and not endearing. I understand we’re supposed to feel sorry for her, but it was very hard to do. Ali wasn’t given any character at all, let alone that of a devoted mother, so again it was hard to root for Drew to find true love.
Most of the movie is very good, and again, the message behind it is admirable. Ideally, we should all learn or be reminded that internal values are more important than material gains. If you like this flavor, check out Pay It Forward, Laughter in Paradise, or Hector and the Search for Happiness.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to upsetting scenes involving a child, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More James Garner movies here!
A multimillionaire, James Garner, leaves a mysterious Will with only a pittance inherited by his children. His loyal friends and business partners, Bill Cobbs and Miss America – sorry, I mean Lee Meriwether – remain on the board of his company and are also in charge of a very special inheritance for his adult grandson, Drew Fuller. Drew has grown up spoiled, angry, and heartless, but Grandpa Jimmy is determined to change all that. He leaves a series of video messages with different assignments Drew has to complete in order to receive “the ultimate gift” of his inheritance. As you can imagine, the tasks are ones that build character and don’t have anything to do with money. Find a true friend, learn how to work with your hands, help someone in need, etc. The lessons are tried and true, but many people forget them as the years pass and they get distracted with other “needs”. When Drew meets a single mother, Ali Hillis, with a very peculiar little girl, Abigail Breslin, he forms a bond and starts to genuinely care.
Which brings me to the fly in the ointment: Abigail. Either her mother, the director, or the makeup artist should have insisted that her palette be changed. Wearing black clothing and a dark wig wasn’t enough to make her look pale and wan (the intention), so she also wore dark purple lipstick. It was jarring and disturbing to see a child so made up. Her insides weren’t much better: snotty, unrealistically unselfish, and not endearing. I understand we’re supposed to feel sorry for her, but it was very hard to do. Ali wasn’t given any character at all, let alone that of a devoted mother, so again it was hard to root for Drew to find true love.
Most of the movie is very good, and again, the message behind it is admirable. Ideally, we should all learn or be reminded that internal values are more important than material gains. If you like this flavor, check out Pay It Forward, Laughter in Paradise, or Hector and the Search for Happiness.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to upsetting scenes involving a child, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More James Garner movies here!